Invalid cushion



June 29, 1937.

Filed Jan. 25, 1956 INVENTOR.

Patented June 29, 1937 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an invalid cushion device, and specifically toa device in the nature of a pillow, having definite provision forprotecting portions of the human body which are affected by soreness ordisease, and to maintain the affected part out of contact with the bed,chair or other support, and/orout of contact with bed clothing or othercovering, as the case may require.

An object is to provide an improved device of the character aboveindicated.

A specific object is to provide an invalid cushion which may be made andsold at comparatively low cost, and inexpensively maintained in asanitary condition.

A further object is to provide an effective means for enclosing a spongerubber pad in a protective covering, such as soft fabric, andmaintaining the pad in a definite position relative to such coveringand, thereby, relative to the body of the patient or user.

Still another object is to provide an invalid cushion composed of acover adapted to be cleaned and sterilized, as by laundering in theusual way, and a resilient filler which may not be so adapted, whereinsaid two parts may be easily separated and, after appropriate cleansingand/or sterilization, then reassociated.

A further specific object is to provide an invalid cushion, comprising ayielding pad or filler, and an envelope therefor, which pad may beeasily inserted into and removed from the envelope and held securely inplace therein, and wherein the holding means is definitely maintained ina position out of contact with the body of the patient or user.

A further object is to provide a cushion of the class above referred to,which will be self-ventilating.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description relating to the accompanying drawing, showingthe preferred form. The essential characteristics are summarized in theclaims.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cushion incorporatingthe various features of my invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectionalview thereof, as indicated by the line 22 on Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is aperspective view of a preferred form of resilient filler for thecushion, and Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the coactingparts of a preferred closure device for the envelope of the cushion, theview illustrating one manner in which said parts may be secured to thesheet material of which the envelope is composed.

The cushion device, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, comprises an envelope Iand a pad or filler 2. The envelope is made similarly to a pillow slipand may be appropriately closed at all margins as by folding orstitching, the latter being indi- 5 cated conventionally at 4 on threemargins. The envelope is preferably muslin or other suitable softfabric, which is serviceable and which may be readily laundered, butmay, in some cases, be made of other material, such, for example, as 10soft rubber sheeting. The pad is preferably made of sponge rubber, andwill be later more fully described.

Centrally of the envelope on each panel 5 and 6 thereof, the sheetmaterial is cut out circularly 15 as shown, and the continuous innermargins of the openings so formed are provided with fasteners, shown asof the interlocking tongue type,Zipper Talon etc. fasteners being wellknown examples. Such fasteners comprise two 20 sets of tongues 8 and 9of the character illustrated in Fig. 4, the tongues being secured inspaced relation to each other on suitable strips of tape [0, which maybe stitched or appropriately secured to respective continuous margins ofthe material forming the panels 5 and 6 of the envelope. The tongues 8and 9 are interlocked with and detached from each other through themedium of the usual guiding device I2 having a pull tab IS. The devicei2 is detachable from one set of tongues, while remaining associatedwith the other set, as well known at the present time.

outwardly, from the central openings of the two panels 5 and 6, thesheets are continuously 35 fastened together as by circumferentialstitching, conventionally indicated at l5, this stitching forming aradially outwardly closed pocket I6 to which access is provided by theinterlocking fastener and central openings. The elements of the fastenerare shown as mutually associated, in Figs. 1 and 2, in a manner to fullyclose the pocket and contain the desired padding.

Access is had to the pocket from either side of the envelope when thesets of fastener elements 8 and 9 are detached from each other, thecental region of the top panel being shown in broken lines Fig. 2 at 5ain raised position to illustrate how the pad 2 may be inserted into thepocket and removed therefrom through either central opening. Theopenings, while much smaller than the pad, are of ample size to receiveit, because the pad may be readily compressed or folded by one hand,which may be extended through one of the openings to properly adjust thepad in the pocket, or to remove the pad.

Referring further to the pad 2, this, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, ispreferably in one piece and made in the shape of a continuous fiat ring,with substantially abrupt corners at the inner and outer margins, bothtop and bottom. The sponge stock is of the so-called interlocking celltype (cells communicating with each other), and fairly soft and pliable.The sponge structure preferably has no skin at any part, although theskin may be left on the major fiat faces Without disadvantage, ifpunctured in various places to allow free passage of air into and out ofthe cell structure. The firmness of stock is preferably at least that ofordinary sponge rubber bath sponges and may be somewhat more firm. Thepad 2 may be somewhat elliptical or may be circular, or, in fact, anyother desired shape, and, of course, the shape of the pocket in theenvelope corresponds in general to that of the pad.

The walls of the central opening of the pad embrace the adjacentfastener supporting portions of the pocket snugly enough so that allparts of the fasteners 3, 9, etc. are maintained thereby in positionabout midway between the two faces of the cushion, as illustrated. Thus,no metal can touch the patient.

The relatively abrupt corners on the pad, both at the inner and outerwall surfaces, are of advantage in assisting the attendant or patient inproperly locating the cushion,.but still more important in supportingthe body as close to the affected part as possible, thereby insuringgreater comfort to the patient by making certain of definitely isolatingthe affected part from contact with the bed or bed clothing.

It may be mentioned that types of fasteners, other than that shown, maybe used at the central opening of the cushion, and that the shape andextent of the flat margins of the envelope shown are illustrative only.For further example, opposite margins of the envelope may be extendedsufiiciently to be wrapped entirely around the patients body, thereby toassist in properly securing the cushion, or, for further example, theenvelope may be made in the proportions of a bed sheet and be so used.It is not essential that the envelope comprise two thicknesses ofmaterial, except as necessary to form the two sides of the pocket forthe pad. The margins beyond the pocket may be of one thickness, theirprincipal function being to secure the pad in desired position as bymeans of safety pins.

The envelope may be laundered as flat work when the pad is removed, andthe pad may be cleaned and sterilized as are other rubber articles.

It will be seen that movement of the patients body, when supported bythe pad, causes the pad to breath, and thereby the supporting portionsof the cushion are ventilated, at least to some extent. The spongerubber is found much more comfortable than pneumatic devices, such asgenerally used, for the reason that the sponge forms a more stablesupport. It does not have a tendency to throw the patient from one sideto the other, as does the usual inflated ring or bag, and yet has allthe necessary supporting and cushioning effect. Moreover, the presentdevice cannot suddenly collapse and thereby cause the patient to becomeinjured or discomfited.

I claim:

1. In an invalid cushion, two cloth sheets that are annularly stitchedtogether materially inwardly from opposite margins to provide a pocketfor padding, said margins enabling the cushion to be fastened to the bedclothing, registering openings in the two sheets within the annularstitching for affording an entrance to the pocket, and a slidingfastener associated with the registering edges of the sheets at saidopenings for closing the pocket.

2. In an invalid cushion, two cloth sheets that are stitched together toform a pocket for padding, an extension web projected beyond said pocketon all sides enabling the cushion to be fastened in position,registering openings in the two sheets within the stitching for forminga central opening through which padding may be inserted into or removedfrom the pocket, and a sliding fastener associated with the registeringedges of the sheets at said openings for closing the pocket.

GER'IRUDE CAREY,

